Discussion of: Theuerkauf, E.J. and Rodriguez, A.B., 2012. Impacts of transect location and variations in along-beach morphology on measuring volume change. Journal of Coastal Research, 28(3), 707-718

Abstract

Theuerkauf and Rodriguez (2012) utilized terrestrial laser scanning data obtained at Onslow Beach, North Carolina to create digital elevation models and quantify volumetric beach change; and compared their results with data derived from traditional beach profiling. The authors conclude full coverage datasets such as those obtained by terrestrial laser scanning and LIDAR can be used to more accurately quantify volume change, and furthermore are superior to the profile method when measuring storm response, coordinating research and engineering projects, and for other coastal management endeavors. However the inability to capture the dune and offshore environments by these methods is identified as a major shortcoming of the article and the terrestrial laser scanning technique utilized by Theuerkauf and Rodriguez (2012) is further compromised by survey accuracy repeatability issues, and constant on-the-fly changing of the survey boundaries to capture small-scale geomorphic features over large areas of the beach. This conversely augments the value of beach profiling as a suitable method for describing short- and long-term changes over expansive stretches of shoreline such as Bogue Banks, North Carolina for research and coastal management activities. © Coastal Education & Research Foundation 2012.